Chevrolet Cruze seems to have what it takes to be successful

It remains to be seen whether the new Chevrolet Cruze will be any more successful than earlier efforts by General Motors to wrench American drivers from their Honda Civics and Toyota Corollas. But it seems to have what it takes.

The Cruze replaces the Cobalt, which replaced the Cavalier. Its cabin is better insulated against wind and tire noise, and the Cruze is wider than its predecessors. The suspension offers an ideal compromise between compliance for ride comfort and firmness for crisp handling.

Two new four-cylinder engines are available: a 1.8-liter and a 1.4 turbo. With automatic transmission the 1.8 delivers as much as 34 miles per gallon in highway driving, according to the Environmental Protection Agency, but I averaged just under 28 in my LS tester in three days of mostly highway miles. The 1.4 seems the better choice, producing the same 138 hp. but at much lower engine rpm and delivering 2 mpg more in the city and 1 mpg more on the highway, by EPA estimate. I averaged just under 25 mpg in four days of mostly local driving in the 1LT tester.

The 1.8 disappoints with its coarseness. The 1.4 is smoother but is afflicted by what seems to be "turbo lag" - a momentary sluggishness in standing-start acceleration. Both testers' six-speed automatic transmissions were sometimes hesitant to downshift for a quick burst of speed.

A higher mileage model, the Cruze Eco, is due next month with the turbo engine and EPA estimates of 28 mpg city and 42 highway - the latter beating any Corolla and any Civic except the hybrid.

The Cruze interior is attractive and mostly functional, but both testers' gauges were obscured by annoying reflections in daylight. The Cruze's rear seat offers about an inch and a half more legroom than the Cobalt sedan, just a bit more than a Civic and a bit less than a Corolla, but the Cruze has the biggest trunk at 15 cubic feet. Rear seat backs fold down to accommodate more cargo.

Like the Civic and Corolla, the Cruze is available with leather-upholstered seats, moon roof and other luxury items but, unlike them, with a power driver's seat, too.

Prices start at $16,995 with a six-speed stick shift. Add $925 for automatic. All versions include air-conditioning, power windows and locks, OnStar hardware with a six-month free subscription; tilt and telescoping steering column; and, unique in this price range, rear-seat side-impact thorax-protecting air bags.

Neither the federal government nor Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has published safety ratings for the Cruze, which went on sale in September. There's no hard data yet on quality either.

2011 Chevrolet Cruze LS / 1 LT

Two Vehicles Tested:

Engines: 1.8-liter, four-cylinder; 1.4-liter, four cylinder turbocharged, both 138 hp.

Fuel: Regular

Transmissions: Six-speed

automatic, front-wheel drive.

Safety: Ten air bags; front disc, rear drum brakes with anti-lock, stability control; OnStar; daytime running lamps; tire pressure monitoring; rear obstacle detection in 1 LT.

Place of Assembly: Lordstown, Ohio.

Trunk: 15 cubic inches

EPA Fuel Economy Estimates: LS: 22 city/35 highway; 1LT: 24/36

Prices as driven, including freight: LS: $18,375; 1LT: $20,600

Bottom Line:Competitive compacts - at last.